The contract dispute between the Avalanche and young center Ryan O'Reilly has undoubtedly hurt the team's on-ice product, but it pales in comparison to how much this team is hurting physically.

Defenseman Erik Johnson on Monday joined a long injury and unavailable list as Colorado completed a four-game homestand with a 3-2 overtime loss to Phoenix at the Pepsi Center.

Early in the third period, Johnson awkwardly absorbed a check from Martin Hanzal and went to the dressing room after slamming his stick against a wall on the way. Often used as the Avs' No. 1 defenseman, Johnson appeared to suffer a shoulder or chest injury.

The team had no injury report on Johnson after the game.

Colorado's David JOnes puts a big hit on Coyotes' Boyd Gordon during the second period on Monday. (John Leyba, The Denver Post)

Earlier, fourth-line forward Patrick Bordeleau left the game with a hand injury after participating in a heavyweight fight, and forwards Matt Duchene, Milan Hejduk and Jamie McGinn suffered injuries before returning. Bordeleau got stitches but was OK.

Phoenix captain Shane Doan won it in the final minute of OT, capitalizing on a fortunate bounce for his second goal of the game. Defenseman Greg Zanon tried to rim the puck around the boards, but it caromed off a referee to turn into a turnover. The Avs (4-6-1) finished 1-2-1 on the homestand.

"Those are the bounces we're getting lately," Zanon said.

"Have to make that save. It was an important shot. I should have made that save," Avs goalie Semyon Varlamov said. "I can't give up (three goals) every game."

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Playing its first game in five nights appeared to benefit the Avs early. Despite taking too many penalties and being unable to improve on the NHL's worst power play, the Avs erased a 1-0 deficit with second-period goals from Mark Olver (2:24) and Matt Duchene (5:28).

Duchene beat goalie Mike Smith on a breakaway, using his speed on a transition play that was set up by linemate P.A. Parenteau on the Coyotes' blue line.

Olver, a fourth-line forward, took a Milan Hejduk feed and one-timed the puck by Smith from the high slot. It was Olver's first goal of the season and seventh of his young career.

The Avalanche went 0-of-4 on the power play, including a 4-on-3 advantage to begin overtime.

Phoenix tied it with 8:21 left in regulation, with a screened wrist shot by defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson.

The Avs again played without their top two leading scores last season in O'Reilly and left winger Gabe Landeskog (head injury), plus first-year center John Mitchell (flu), who is second on the team in goals (four) and rating (plus-7).

The Denver Post's Adrian Dater and Mike Chambers post analysis, notes, video, chats and more on this blog focusing on the Colorado Avalanche.

"Tough bounce in overtime there, but that aside, it should have been over by then," Duchene said. "All the injuries do seem unfair, that's for sure. We're a team working so hard, trying to get better all the time, and when you're losing key pieces of the puzzle, it's tough. We just got to keep pulling forward, worry about the guys in here and hope the injured guys come back. That's just the way it is."

"It's just frustrating not to get that extra point tonight," Avs coach Joe Sacco said.

Newly signed forward Aaron Palushaj made his debut with the Avs, playing left wing on the Paul Stastny-centered line with David Jones. Palushaj is one of four Avs forwards who began the season in the American Hockey League.

The Post's three stars1. Shane Doan. Coyotes captain had two goals, including overtime winner.2. Matt Duchene. Speedy young Avs center had a goal. 3. Kyle Chipchura. Two assists and a fight for the Phoenix center.

What you might have missed. Avs defenseman Ryan O'Bryne had a tough game. He made the own-zone turnover that led to the Coyotes' first goal and was assessed a cross-checking minor during a penalty kill, sending Phoenix on a two-man advantage for 58 seconds.

Up next. At Minnesota, Thursday, 6 p.m.

Phoenix's Shane Doan celebrates his game winning goal with his teammates in overtime against Colorado goalie Semyon Varlamov on Monday at the Pepsi Center. ( Doug Pensinger, Getty Images)

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